This episode of Voices of the Community features Jill English, chief of community, equity and inclusion at Child Advocates.

English directs the Interrupting Racism for Children Workshops program. The program is a two-day interactive workshop that does more than simply educating people on racism. Interrupting Racism for Children asks participants to work toward ending racism.

Voices of the Community welcomes Arts for Lawrence Executive Director Elana Thompson on this episode. Thompson discusses the offerings of this arts and cultural gem on the far east side.

Arts for Lawrence is located at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus and includes the Theater at the Fort, a visual arts center, an amphitheater and the Sterrett Center. Outdoor amenities include the Marching Sidewalk and Musical Swings.

Indianapolis City-County Council president Vop Osili is the guest on this episode of Voices of the Community, an IndyStar podcast.

Osili represents District 11. He was elected to the city-county council in 2011 and elected president in 2018. He is chairman of the Rules and Public Policy Committee and is on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Osili is currently program director at Woolpert , an international architecture, engineering and geospatial firm with an office in Indianapolis.

Ebony Chappel, program and communications director for Leadership Indianapolis, a civic leadership organization, is the guest on this episode of Voices of the Community.

Chappel is executive director of Friends of Belmont Beach, host of the podcast “What’s Good with Ebony Chappel?” co-founder of Black Women’s Writing Society, co-creator of The Testimony Service and co-curator of Fathers: Retelling the Narrative photo and essay series. She is also president of the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation and a member of the marketing committee for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game committee.

A'Lelia Bundles is the guest on this episode of Voices of the Community, an IndyStar podcast.

Bundles is the author of “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker.” She's also an Emmy Award winning journalist, historian and great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker. In addition, Bundles is the inaugural Center for African Studies and Culture Prestigious Fellow in the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.

Bundles has a deep affection for Indianapolis and has played an integral role in keeping the legacy of Madam Walker alive as well as preserving the history of Indiana Avenue.

Barato Britt, president and CEO of Edna Martin Christian Center, is the featured guest on this episode of Voices of the Community.

Britt is only the sixth person to be named president and CEO of the organization since its founding in 1941. Before becoming president and CEO, Britt was deputy executive director. A longtime advocate for education in Indianapolis, Britt formerly was executive director of the Indiana Chapter of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) and communications coordinator for Greater Educational Opportunities Foundation (GEO) and a former reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder.  

This episode of of Voices of the Community features Julie Kratz, founder of Next Pivot Point, which offers diversity, equity and inclusion services for the workplace. Kratz is the author of several books for adults, a children's book and a TEDx speaker. She's also a certified unconscious and social-emotional learning trainer.

Listen as Kratz explains why she's passionate about the work she does.

Larry Smith, CEO and president of Fathers and Families, the guest on this episode of Voices of the Community, an IndyStar podcast.

Fathers and Families is an organization dedicated to building strong families. Smith shares his vision for Fathers and Families, what services are offered and how to access those programs.

This episode of Voices of the Community features Kristen Cooper, CEO and founder of The Startup Ladies. Cooper began The Startup Ladies in 2014 as a way to help women entrepreneurs operate successful businesses. Cooper shares how her journey led her to founding The Startup Ladies, the organization’s five focus areas and why equity is vital for women-owned businesses.

Nichelle M. Hayes, interim CEO of Indianapolis Public Library, is our guest on this episode of Voices of the Community. What's it like to run a multi-million dollar organization with 24 locations and more to come?